Who Decided What Belongs in Chili?

Few arguments in Texas are as dependable as whether beans belong in chili. But long before anyone started making rules about what belonged in the pot, chili con carne was already part of a much bigger story.

In this episode of Way Out West, trace chili from the cultural crossroads of the Texas borderlands to the plazas of San Antonio, where the famous Chili Queens helped turn a regional dish into something travelers associated with the American West.

Along the way, we look at chili’s connection to cowboys and camp cooking, how commercial chili powder helped carry it across America, and how one practical dish became such a powerful piece of Texas identity.

And yes, we finally get to the question that starts the argument: Do beans actually belong in chili?

Transcript: For a full transcript of this episode, click on "Transcript"

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